. >> during the american presidential election, mitt romney and barack obama levels of varying degrees of criticism at china, particularly for its economic practices. china rails against what they see as american protectionism. each country is the biggest market for the other's exports. they are bound together. it is the idea that a military conflict is unthinkable? what would be the defining features of their relationship in the next decade? >> the lesson of history is that week empires give way to the strong. america's current preoccupation with china has produced these political attack ads as well as plenty of campaign rhetoric. >> they are artificially lowering their prices and killing american jobs. we cannot let china run all over us. >> barack obama returned to the white house having promised to hold china to account for its trading practices. what is he going to do about it now? those who have been inside the white house suggest it will be gentle diplomacy. >> there is a gap between political campaigning and governing. i think that some of the tough rhetoric you heard will not